Gene Explorer

Search your genome in plain language for genes, conditions, and medications.

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About 5× higher lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer.BRCA1 normally helps repair damaged DNA. A harmful variant raises the lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer well above average, which is why carriers benefit from earlier and more frequent screening.CancerDisease riskBRCA1
Raised risk of breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers.Like BRCA1, BRCA2 is a DNA-repair gene. Variants increase the risk of several cancers in both women and men, so screening and risk-reducing options are worth discussing with a clinician.CancerDisease riskBRCA2
3 to 8× more likely to develop dangerous blood clots.The Factor V Leiden variant makes blood more prone to clotting. Day-to-day risk stays low, but it climbs around surgery, long flights, pregnancy and some birth-control methods, so it is worth flagging to any clinician.Blood clotsDisease riskF5
High risk of a severe reaction to the HIV drug abacavir.Carrying HLA-B*57:01 means abacavir can trigger a dangerous hypersensitivity reaction. Screening for this variant before prescribing is standard practice.MedicationMedication responseHLA-B
A Huntington’s expansion means progressive neurological decline over time.HTT carries the mutation behind Huntington’s disease - a rare, inherited condition that affects movement, cognition and mood, usually starting in midlife. There is no cure today, but knowing early helps with planning, counseling and research options. This is educational context, not a diagnosis.NeurologicalDisease riskHTT
Lynch syndrome: sharply higher risk of colorectal and several other cancers.MLH1 is one of the main genes behind Lynch syndrome. Harmful variants raise the lifetime risk of colorectal cancer and several other cancers, which is why earlier colonoscopy and coordinated screening can matter a lot if you carry one.CancerDisease riskMLH1
About 2× higher risk of type 2 diabetes than average.TCF7L2 affects how the body regulates blood sugar. Genetics load the dice, but diet, weight and activity strongly influence whether type 2 diabetes actually develops.MetabolismDisease riskTCF7L2
One copy of APOE e4 raises Alzheimer’s risk about 30%.APOE e4 is the most common genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s. It shifts the odds without deciding them, and sleep, exercise and cardiovascular health all matter.NeurologicalDisease riskAPOE
Carrier of cystic fibrosis: 1 in 4 risk to children if both partners carry.You can be a perfectly healthy CFTR carrier. If your partner is also a carrier, each child has a 1 in 4 chance of cystic fibrosis, which is useful to know before or during family planning.Carrier statusCarrier statusCFTR
Plavix is about 50% less effective for you.Poor metabolizers of clopidogrel (Plavix) may not get the intended protection after a cardiac event. A clinician can choose an alternative blood thinner that works with your genetics.MedicationMedication responseCYP2C19
Carrier of sickle cell or beta-thalassemia traits.HBB variants cause sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia when inherited from both parents. Carriers are usually healthy, but carrier status matters for family planning.Carrier statusCarrier statusHBB
LDL cholesterol that runs about 30% higher than average.The LDL receptor clears "bad" cholesterol a little less efficiently, so levels tend to run high regardless of diet. Knowing early means you can monitor and act long before it becomes a heart risk.Heart diseaseDisease riskLDLR
Carrier of spinal muscular atrophy: 1 in 4 risk to a child if both partners carry.SMN1 deletions cause spinal muscular atrophy when a child inherits two affected copies. Healthy carriers are common enough that carrier screening before or during family planning is standard in many clinics.Carrier statusCarrier statusSMN1
You need about 30% less warfarin than average.A VKORC1 variant makes you more sensitive to warfarin, so a standard dose could thin your blood too much. Sharing this lets a clinician start lower and avoid trial and error.MedicationMedication responseVKORC1
Top 10% likelihood for iron overload (hemochromatosis).An HFE variant can cause the body to absorb and store too much iron over time. It is easily tracked with a simple blood test and very manageable when caught early.MetabolismDisease riskHFE
Higher chance of muscle pain on common statins.SLCO1B1 affects how the body clears statins. Certain variants raise the risk of muscle aches and, rarely, muscle damage, so a clinician may pick a different statin or dose.MedicationMedication responseSLCO1B1
Alcohol flush reaction: you process alcohol less efficiently.An ALDH2 variant slows the breakdown of alcohol, causing facial flushing, a fast heartbeat and nausea. It also raises the risk of certain cancers with heavy drinking.MetabolismTraitALDH2
Red hair, fair skin and a tendency to freckle.MC1R variants reduce eumelanin and boost pheomelanin - the classic redhead pattern. Carriers often sunburn faster, which makes sun protection worth knowing about even when the trait itself is cosmetic.FunTraitMC1R
Likely lactose intolerant as an adult.A nearby MCM6 variant controls the lactase gene. When lactase production drops after childhood, dairy can cause bloating or discomfort. Lactose-free options make this easy to manage.MetabolismTraitMCM6
Rare variants linked to unusually large, strong muscles.Myostatin normally limits muscle growth. Loss-of-function MSTN variants show up in people - and some cattle - with remarkable muscle mass. Extremely rare in humans, but the “double muscle gene” is real.FunTraitMSTN
A major influence on eye color - brown, blue, green and in-between.OCA2 (with nearby HERC2 regulation) is the best-known eye-color gene. Variants shift how much melanin sits in the iris - one of the most visible “genetic selfie” traits, even though several genes fine-tune the shade.FunTraitOCA2
Naturally lower LDL cholesterol - a genetic “superpower” for heart health.Some PCSK9 variants keep LDL cholesterol low lifelong without medication. Drug developers copied the biology for cholesterol-lowering therapies - one of the best examples of a fun gene with serious medical upside.Heart diseaseTraitPCSK9
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and coffee taste extra bitter to you.TAS2R38 controls sensitivity to bitter compounds like PTC. “Super-tasters” notice bitterness in vegetables, dark greens and some beers that other people barely register - a classic party-trick gene.FunTraitTAS2R38
Your muscle fiber type skews toward power or endurance.ACTN3 influences fast-twitch muscle fibers. One common variant is more typical in sprinters and power athletes; another pattern shows up more in endurance athletes. Neither decides your fitness - training still dominates - but it is a fun read on how you are built.SportsTraitACTN3
You metabolize caffeine about 40% faster than average.Fast caffeine metabolizers clear coffee quickly, so they often feel less jittery and can tolerate caffeine later in the day than most people.MetabolismTraitCYP1A2
Cilantro may taste soapy or metallic to you.OR6A2 variants change how certain aldehydes in cilantro register on your tongue. If the herb tastes like soap, this gene is the usual suspect - and it is one of the most relatable “wait, genetics does that?” findings.FunTraitOR6A2
Variants that raise or lower pain sensitivity - sometimes dramatically.SCN9A shapes how pain signals travel. Rare loss-of-function variants can mean feeling little pain - which sounds neat but is medically dangerous. More common variants nudge pain tolerance up or down across everyday life.FunTraitSCN9A
A rare variant linked to needing noticeably less sleep than average.DEC2 variants have been described in people who feel rested on roughly 4–6 hours of sleep. Most of us do not carry one - but when present, it is one of the clearest “genetics changed my daily life” examples out there.FunTraitDEC2

Educational reference only. Not a diagnosis. Discuss significant findings with a clinician.